Air Travel

[gfmucci]

:( >:( :(
Let me tell you about our day.* My wife and I spent the last 2 1/2 weeks in Cleveland...she had open heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic - great place, by the way.* And she is doing fine.

So, she was finally discharged yesterday afternoon and we arranged a flight out of the Cleveland airport.*

First, one of the most heart breaking things to watch (second only to seeing how the patient looks right after surgery in ICU) is your recent-open-heart-surgery-patient-wife in a wheel chair being probed going through security at the airport.* There she was clutching her red, heart-shaped Cleveland Clinic pillow imprinted with "Hoping You a Quick Recovery" in her hands while the security folks, with their metal detectors probed every part of her body, legs, arms back, chest, as she sat in the wheel chair, fearing they would touch her half-healed, exposed scar on her chest, feeling a mix of pain, exhaustion, and humiliation.* God I can't wait till these people get some common sense and start profiling!* But she's right.* She said the Islamists ( :edit:*:edit: :edit: ) wouldn't hesitate to scar themselves to feign surgery if they thought that might give them a free pass through security to do what they do.

After passing through security, we awaited our flight.* The plane arrived, and moments later an announcement declared "flight xxxx will be delayed for an indefinite period of time until a part arrives and is installed."* The defective part was one of (or) the plane's malfunctioning computer(s).* Joan is not used to being wheel chair bound, in pain and exhausted at an airport with the flight being cancelled - nor I being a caretaker under such circumstances.* But I can tell you it is a growth experience - for both of us.

So, they gave us a couple of meal tickets, a night in the nearby Ramada, and a flight back first thing in the morning.* Boy, are we going to be glad to get back home!!!!!* I'd rather drive a thousand miles any day.

[redwitch]

I'm glad the surgery went well. GF, that had to be one of the most poignant things I have ever read. Your love for your wife shines through. She is a truly lucky woman (something tells me you're a very lucky man as well).

Hope she continues on the road to recovery and is up and about soon. And I'll say a little prayer that tomorrow's flight is on time, that security has a little more compassion and, most importantly, that you arrive here safe and sound.

[JohnnyM]

Sorry for your ordeal Gf, hope the Mrs. is feeling better. Have a safe trip and I hope her recovery is swift. Our prayers are with you. Johnny&Barbara

[Sidney Lanier]

All the best to your wife! Hope things can only improve from this point on!!!

My wife had to travel back from South America several years ago in a wheelchair following an accident there. Unfortunately I had come back a week earlier dealing with my own medical disaster that required attention here in the U.S., though I probably would have had to put off my care had our son not been with us to travel with Mom. All we could say at the time was 'God bless American Airlines,' notwithstanding weather problems that delayed the flight back to NY from Chicago for hours, resulting in our losing the ambulance that was meeting her, and one language-impaired employee in Hartford who completely misunderstood what was happening.

This was several years ago; doubtless things have changed. In the newspaper recently was a report about the condition of airlines in the U.S.; ranking right at the bottom was American Eagle. Sad to see where things are going, and this is nothing to do with the TSA, airport security, Islamists, and the like. Here we are, back to poor service, unfortunately a common subject nowadays in all areas of the economy, not just the airline industry....

[chelsea24]

So sorry to hear of all this GF. My husband had the same surgery, same pillow even, but at least we didn't have to get on a plane. The surgery is hard enough without all that. Your Mrs. and you are in my thoughts and prayers. She'll start to heal once she's back home.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hello,

I just read your post and can identify with your wife 100%. I am so sorry to hear of the ordeal you had to go through.

When I left the hospital in Cuenca, Ecuador (must tell everyone my treatment for the month that I was there was EXCELLENT) I was worried how I would get on the plane. I was told not to worry - I would have no steps to walk and would be in a wheel chair.

To make a long story short - I was in a wheel chair up to the flight of steps to get on the plane - then I had to figure out how to make it up the steps.

I wish both of you did not have to go through this ordeal. Just know you are both in my heart and in my prayers.

Speedy recovery to your wife and glad you were able to be with her during this ordeal.

Best,

HB

[gfmucci]

Thank you for your prayers. The second trip through security went much better, and the flight was excellent. Joan is now at home, in bed resting.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[JohnnyM]

Thanks for the update Gf. Godspeed for Joan's recovery, JohnnyM

[Muncle]

GF & Joan,
Like Johnny said, Godspeed. Hope the convalescence is comfortable, fast, and uneventful.

M

[F16 1UB]

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. ;) :beer2: crap wav


F16

[redwitch]

So very glad you're home and Joan is resting. Obviously, should you need anything, shout out!

[renielarson]

GF my thoughts and prayers are with your wife as she recuperates and with you as you help nurse her back to health. I hope she has a speedy recovery.